Charles Escott (1853-1929) from Banwell (Somerset) to Cardiff

Charles Escott was baptised on 7 April 1853 in Banwell (Somerset). He was the first of 11 children of Robert Escott (1815-1896), a farmer living in Wolvershill, Banwell, and Robert’s 2^nd wife Jane Price. Robert also had 4 children with his 1st wife, Betsy Ford. https://birdsofcressingham.wordpress.com/2021/12/03/from-somerset-to-the-usa/

Connection to my ancestors?

It seems likely that Robert Escott’s father Henry Escott (1787-1867) was related to my own ancestor William Escott (about 1760-1848) of Axbridge, but I haven’t yet found evidence. Perhaps one small hint is the fact that witnesses at William’s wedding included a William Vowles and a John Vowles—and Henry’s wife was Hester Vowles. Banwell is just northwest of Axbridge, separated from it by the parish of Winscombe.

There is more on my attempts to tie in William Escott to other Escotts in the Axbridge area at https://birdsofcressingham.wordpress.com/2020/10/09/william-escott-and-jane-bowden and https://birdsofcressingham.wordpress.com/2020/12/10/escotts-in-axbridge-and-the-rest-of-somerset

Early life and marriage

Charles was still in Banwell with his parents in 1871. He went on to marry Mary Ann Hatch (born in East Harptree, Somerset) in 1874 in Bristol. According to the 1911 census, they had 4 children, all still living, though I have only found 3 in the censuses, all born in Banwell: Alice Mary Escott (1876-1949), Elizabeth A Escott (1879-1922) and Ellen M Escott (1881-1965).

In 1881, the couple were at Stonebidge, Banwell, with 2 young daughters. 3 doors away were Charles’s uncle George Vowles Escott (a retired grocer, born in Wedmore, Somerset) and George’s wife Eliza (born in Moorgate, London).

Move to Wales

By 1891, the couple had moved to Wales. They were at 45 Oxford Street, Cardiff with their 3 daughters. Charles was a carter and their oldest daughter Alice (14) was an apprentice dressmaker. Elizabeth and Ellen were at school.

In 1901:

• the family were at 10 Cyril Crescent, Roath, Cardiff and Charles was a builder’s carter.
• Alice Mary Escott was at 12 Cyril Crescent with her husband Joseph Lewis [a solicitor]
• at 8 Cyril Crescent was Ellen’s future husband, her cousin Arthur George Badman. Arthur was the son of Ellen’s aunt Elizabeth Matilda Hatch (Mary Ann Hatch’s sister). Elizabeth Matilda Hatch and Mary Ann Hatch were born in East Harptree (Somerset, 10 miles east of Axbridge) and were baptised as Roman Catholics. Their parents were William Hatch, also born in East Harptree, and Ann Hatch (née Ann Hunt), a British citizen born in New York in about 1828. It surprises me that she moved from New York to rural Somerset in the mid 19^th century. For more on Arthur badman and his family, and other links to the Escotts, please see https://birdsofcressingham.wordpress.com/2023/07/30/a-bad-man-acquires-two-virtues/

In 1911 and 1921, Charles and Mary Ann were at 123 Claude Road, Cardiff (in 8 rooms in 1911 and 5 rooms in 1921). Charles was still a carter for a builder in 1911 and in 1921 a builders haulier for T C Clouter, 40 Marlborough Road, Cardiff. Elizabeth and Ellen were still living with them in 1911 and were both packers.

Boarding with Charles and Mary Ann in 1921 was Joseph Louis Zammitt (34). Confusingly, the census return says both that he was born in Malta and that he was a visitor, British born. He was an engineer fitter (engineers tools) with Edward Curran Ho Ltd, Engineers & Hollow Ware manufacturers. Perhaps he was related to the Welsh international rugby union player, Louis Rees-Zammitt, whose grandfather was Maltese, according to press reports.

Alice Escott and Joseph Lewis

In 1911, Alice and her husband Joseph Lewis (still a solicitor) were occupying 7 rooms at 29 Deri Road, Roath (Cardiff) with 5 children and a servant. 2 other children had died by then. In 1921, they were still in Cardiff, with 10 children, including 5 born after 1911. All of their children had Escott as their 2^nd middle name (3^rd name in total). Alice died in Cardiff in 1949.

Ellen Escott and Arthur Badman

In 1921, Arthur George Badman, and Ellen Badman (née Escott) were in Cardiff with Arthur Trevor (1914, Bargoed, Glamorgan), Noreene Mary E [Elizabeth] Badman (1920, Cardiff) and Arthur’s mother, Elizabeth. Ellen died in Surrey in 1965. See also https://birdsofcressingham.wordpress.com/2023/07/30/a-bad-man-acquires-two-virtues/

Elizabeth Lewis and William Andrew Lewis

Elizabeth Escott married William Andrew Lewis in Cardiff in 1912. The 1921 census shows them at 42 Alban Road, Llanelli (Carmathenshire), with daughter Clare Louise Escott Lewis (1919-1921). Their other children were Bernard John Aloysius Escott  Lewis (1919-1921), Veronica Lewis (1922-1923) and Unsula Lewis (1922-1991). William was assistant works manager at Briton Ferry Chemical & Manure Co Ltd.

Elizabeth died at 42 Alban Road on 17 October a few weeks after childbirth. The causes were interstitial nephritis and valvular disease of heart.

Deaths of Charles and Mary Ann

The death of Charles Escott, aged 75, was registered in Cardiff in 1929. The death of Mary Ann Escott was registered there in 1932.